[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 3, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 42005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19830]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Part 1728
Electric Overhead Distribution Lines; Specifications and Drawings
for 24.9/14.4 kV Line Construction
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Extension of compliance with Bulletin 50-5 or 1728F-803.
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SUMMARY: In 1998 the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) updated and revised
its bulletin of specifications and drawings for 24.9/14.4kV overhead
distribution line construction. The bulletin, formerly named Bulletin
50-5, was renamed ``RUS Bulletin 1728F-803; Specifications and Drawings
for 24.9/14.4 kV Line Construction.'' This bulletin is incorporated by
reference (IBR) in 7 CFR part 1728. As published in the Federal
Register on December 31, 1998, at 63 FR 72102, this bulletin was
approved for IBR by the Director of the Federal Register and was
effective February 1, 1999.
To allow borrowers to conduct an orderly transition from the old
Bulletin 50-5 to the new construction assemblies and assembly numbers
of the new Bulletin 1728F-803, RUS allowed compliance to either
bulletin through December 31, 1999, in a compliance notice published in
the Federal Register on March 29, 1999, at 64 FR 14813. To prevent
additional errors which may result from the year 2000 compliance
transitions, RUS has extended the compliance date for borrowers to
utilize construction drawings in either Bulletin 50-5 or the new
Bulletin 1728F-803 until July 1, 2001. After July 1, 2001, only
Bulletin 1728F-803 standard drawings shall be used.
It is anticipated that this action will also allow borrowers
sufficient time to make necessary changes in engineering and accounting
procedures and associated computer software.
EFFECTIVE DATE: August 3, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James L. Bohlk, Electrical
Engineer, Distribution Branch, Electric Staff Division, Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW,
STOP 1569, Washington, DC 20250-1569. telephone: (202) 720-1967. Fax:
(202) 720-7491.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Rural Electrification Act of
1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), the Rural Utilities Service
(RUS) amended 7 CFR Chapter XVII, Part 1728, Electric Standards and
Specification for Materials and Construction, by revising RUS Bulletin
50-5 (D-803), Specification and Drawings for 14.4/24.9 kV Line
Construction, and renumbered it as RUS Bulletin 1728F-803. RUS
maintains a system of bulletins that contains construction standards
and specifications for materials and equipment. These standards and
specifications apply to system facilities constructed by RUS electric
and telecommunications borrowers in accordance with the RUS loan
contract, and contains standard construction units, material, and
equipment units commonly used in RUS electric and telecommunication
borrowers' systems.
RUS Bulletin 1728F-803 provides dimensioned drawings of standard
assembly units and specifications for the construction of 24.9/14.4 kV
overhead electric distribution lines. RUS changed the bulletin number
from RUS Bulletin 50-5 to RUS Bulletin 1728F-803. The change in the
bulletin number and reformatting was necessary to conform to RUS' new
publications and directives system. This bulletin is incorporated by
reference in Sec. 1728.97. It may be purchased from the Superintendent
of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15250-7954.
Dated: July 28, 1999.
Blaine D. Stockton, Jr.,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 99-19830 Filed 8-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P